Awards & Appointments

Introduction

The subtopic “Awards & Appointments” within Current Affairs bridges two seemingly distinct domains: recognition conferred upon individuals or institutions for exceptional contribution, and key personnel changes in constitutional, statutory, regulatory, and international bodies. For the UPSC Civil Services Examination, this is a high-yield area because it tests both factual recall and contextual understanding. Over the years, approximately 12 questions have been explicitly drawn from this subtopic, appearing in Prelims paper I, and occasionally in CSAT or General Studies papers. The difficulty level ranges from straightforward one-liners (who won the Gandhi Peace Prize in a given year) to analytical matching questions (pairing awards with their fields) and statement-based reasoning (e.g., verifying the composition of a selection jury).

This chapter will equip you with everything needed to master this subtopic. You will learn the conceptual foundation—what differentiates a national award from an international prize, the constitutional basis for key appointments, and the procedural nuances of selection committees. We will then dive deep into specific categories: India’s civilian honours (Padma awards, Bharat Ratna, etc.), literary and cultural awards (Jnanpith, Sahitya Akademi, Dadasaheb Phalke), sports awards (Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award), international peace and science prizes (Nobel, Gandhi Peace Prize, Magsaysay), and crucial appointments (President, Vice-President, Chief Justice, CAG, Election Commissioners, etc.). Each section will be anchored in what has been tested—for instance, the composition of the Gandhi Peace Prize jury was asked in UPSC 2025. We will also analyse year-wise patterns to identify shifts, and forecast likely future questions.

The ultimate goal is not memorisation in isolation, but integrated learning—linking an appointment to the constitutional article that governs it, and an award to the institution that administers it. By the end of these notes, you should be able to answer any Prelims question on this subtopic with confidence, and also apply the knowledge to Mains answer writing (e.g., citing recent appointments as examples in governance essays).

Core Concepts & Foundations

Before diving into specific awards and appointments, it is essential to define the key terms and understand the underlying principles. These concepts form the framework upon which every question is built.

Award: A formal recognition, usually in the form of a medal, citation, or monetary prize, conferred upon an individual, group, or institution for outstanding achievement in a specific field. Awards may be national (conferred by the state), international (conferred by a supranational organisation or a foreign nation), or private (conferred by a foundation or trust).

Appointment: The act of designating a person to hold a particular office, post, or position. In the Indian context, appointments can be constitutional (made by the President under specific articles), statutory (under acts of Parliament), or executive (by the government). The procedure, eligibility, and term of office are often prescribed in the Constitution or relevant legislation.

Selection Jury / Committee: A group of experts or dignitaries responsible for evaluating nominees and recommending or selecting the award recipient. The composition of the jury is a recurring UPSC theme—who sits on it, how they are chosen, and what percentage of the decision they hold.

Constitutional Office: A position created by the Constitution of India, such as the President, Vice-President, Chief Justice of India, Comptroller and Auditor General, Election Commissioners, etc. These appointments have a fixed tenure, removal procedure, and oath of office defined in the Constitution.

Statutory Office: An office created by an act of Parliament, such as the Chief Election Commissioner (originally created by the Representation of the People Act, 1950, now also constitutional), the National Human Rights Commission chairperson, the Central Vigilance Commissioner, etc. These are not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution but derive their powers from statute.

Ex-officio Member: A person who is a member of a body by virtue of holding another office (e.g., the Prime Minister is ex-officio chairperson of the NITI Aayog). This concept frequently appears in questions about the composition of selection committees for awards.

Padma Awards: India’s highest civilian honours, instituted in 1954, categorised into Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. They are awarded in various fields, including art, social work, public affairs, science, sports, medicine, and trade & industry. The selection process involves a committee chaired by the Prime Minister, with recommendations from state governments, union ministries, and previous awardees.

Bharat Ratna: India’s highest civilian award, established in 1954. Originally limited to “arts, literature, science, and public services,” the criteria were expanded in 2011 to include “any field of human endeavour.” The Prime Minister recommends the names to the President, and no formal committee is involved.

Gandhi Peace Prize: An annual award instituted by the Government of India in 1995, on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. It is given to individuals, associations, or institutions for their contribution towards social, economic, and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian methods. The jury is composed of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, the Chief Justice of India, and a prominent person of Gandhian thought nominated by the Prime Minister. This composition was directly tested in UPSC 2025.

Nobel Prize: International awards bestowed annually by Swedish and Norwegian institutions in categories: Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences. The selection process involves various committees—the Nobel Committee for Peace is appointed by the Norwegian Parliament (Storting), while the other prizes are decided by Swedish academies.

Khel Ratna Award (officially Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna): India’s highest sporting honour, renamed in 2021 as the “Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.” It is awarded annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The selection committee typically includes retired sportspersons, sports administrators, and members of the Sports Ministry.

Dadasaheb Phalke Award: India’s highest award in cinema, presented annually at the National Film Awards ceremony. The selection is made by a committee of eminent film personalities appointed by the Directorate of Film Festivals.

Constitutional Appointments — Key Articles: President (Article 52-62), Vice-President (Article 63-67), Governors (Article 153-162), Chief Justice and other Judges of Supreme Court (Article 124), High Court Judges (Article 217), Attorney General (Article 76), Comptroller and Auditor General (Article 148), Election Commission (Article 324), UPSC Chairperson and Members (Article 316), and Finance Commission (Article 280). Each has specific eligibility, tenure, and removal process.

Appointment by Collegium: A system evolved through Supreme Court judgments for the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts. The Collegium consists of the Chief Justice of India and the four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court. This is a judicial appointments mechanism, not a constitutional provision, but followed as a convention.

Understanding these definitions is critical because UPSC often tests the nuances — e.g., “Who is not part of the Gandhi Peace Prize jury?” (Trick: the President is not; many aspirants assume the President is involved because it is a national award). Similarly, the Bharat Ratna is conferred by the President but recommended by the Prime Minister without a jury, whereas the Padma awards involve a committee. Such distinctions are the essence of Prelims questions.

Civilian Honours: Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards

Bharat Ratna — The Pinnacle

The Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian honour in India. It was instituted on 2 January 1954 by a Presidential Notification. Originally, it was awarded for “the highest degrees of national service” in arts, literature, science, and public services. In 2011, the criteria were widened to include “any field of human endeavour.” Notable early recipients include Dr. C.V. Raman, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and Lord Mountbatten (the last being controversial). After 1980, the award was given posthumously to several leaders, such as Lal Bahadur Shastri, M.G. Ramachandran, and B.R. Ambedkar.

Selection Process: The Prime Minister recommends names to the President. No formal jury or committee exists. This is a key point of contrast with the Padma awards. The President signs the warrant and the award is presented on Republic Day or a specially convened ceremony. As of now, there is no restriction on the number of recipients per year, though typically only one or two are chosen.

Key Facts for UPSC:

• The first Bharat Ratna was awarded to Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1954).
• The only foreigner to receive it is Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (1987), though Mother Teresa (an Indian citizen at the time) is sometimes considered.
• In 2019, the award was conferred upon Pranab Mukherjee, Bhupen Hazarika, and Nanaji Deshmukh (posthumous).
• The award is not a title under Article 18 (1) of the Constitution, as clarified by the Supreme Court in 1995. The recipients cannot use it as a prefix or suffix to their names.
• The medal is in the shape of a peepal leaf, made of toned gold.

Potential trap: UPSC may ask about the constitutional status of Bharat Ratna. It is a “civilian award” but not a “title” prohibited by Article 18. The Supreme Court in Balaji Raghavan v. Union of India (1995) held that national awards do not violate Article 18 as they do not confer any title and cannot be used as a suffix. This is a landmark judgment linking awards to constitutional law.

Padma Awards — Hierarchy and Categories

The Padma awards were also instituted in 1954, in three categories:

• Padma Vibhushan (second highest)
• Padma Bhushan (third)
• Padma Shri (fourth)

They are awarded on Republic Day (26 January) every year. The number of recipients is capped at 120 per year (including those given to foreign nationals, NRIs, and posthumous awards). The selection is done by the Padma Awards Committee, constituted by the Prime Minister every year.

Composition of the Committee:

• The Home Secretary is the Chairman.
• The Secretary to the President (the President’s Secretary) is a member.
• Four to six eminent persons from various fields are members.
• The Prime Minister nominates these eminent persons.
• The committee submits its recommendations to the Prime Minister and the President for approval.

Key Distinctions:

• Unlike Bharat Ratna, the Padma awards involve a committee and a recommendation process.
• The Padma awards are not given posthumously as a rule, but have been given posthumously in exceptional cases (e.g., in 2020, several were given posthumously to people who died due to COVID-19).
• The award is a medallion and a Sanad (certificate), and carries no monetary grant.
• The awards can be revoked or suspended in case of convictions for moral turpitude or corruption.

Fields Recognised: Art, Social Work, Public Affairs, Science & Engineering, Trade & Industry, Medicine, Literature & Education, Sports, Civil Service (introduced later), and Others.

UPSC Trends: Questions often appear on which field a particular recipient is from, or on the number of awards in a given year. For example, in 2021, the Ministry of Home Affairs released a list of 119 awardees. The names are not required for memorisation, but the categories and the selection process are.

Appointments: Constitutional and Statutory Offices

President and Vice-President

The President of India is the head of state, elected by an electoral college consisting of elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the Legislative Assemblies of states. The election is conducted by the Election Commission under Article 54. The President holds office for a term of five years and is eligible for re-election (though only Dr. Rajendra Prasad served two terms). The removal procedure is impeachment under Article 61 for violation of the Constitution.

The Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and is elected by both Houses of Parliament sitting jointly (Article 66). Term is five years. The Vice-President acts as President when the latter is unable to discharge functions due to absence, illness, or death.

UPSC Relevance: Questions on who is the current President, who is the Vice-President, and their respective roles (e.g., who can be impeached, who presides over Rajya Sabha) are common. Appointment of acting President when the President is on leave is also tested.

Supreme Court and High Court Judges

• Chief Justice of India (CJI): Appointed by the President under Article 124(2). By convention, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court is appointed as CJI. This convention was upheld by the Supreme Court in the Second Judges Case (1993).
• Other SC Judges: Appointed by the President in consultation with the CJI and such other judges as deemed necessary. Since the Third Judges Case (1998), the consultation involves the Collegium (CJI and four senior-most judges).
• High Court Judges: Appointed by the President in consultation with the CJI, the Governor of the state, and the Chief Justice of that High Court.

Trap: Many aspirants confuse the “collegium” with a statutory body. It is a judicial innovation, not a constitutional creation. The National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act was struck down in 2015 by the Supreme Court as it violated the independence of the judiciary. So, the collegium system continues.

Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)

Appointed by the President under Article 148. He holds office for a term of six years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier. He can be removed only on the grounds of misbehaviour or incapacity, proved by a resolution passed by both Houses of Parliament with a two-thirds majority (similar to removal of a Supreme Court judge). The CAG is the guardian of the public purse and audits all government expenditure.

Comparison Table: Key Constitutional Appointments

Election Commission

The Election Commission of India is a constitutional body under Article 324. It consists of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and such number of Election Commissioners as the President may from time to time determine. Currently, it is a three-member body (CEC and two ECs). They are appointed by the President. The tenure of CEC is 6 years or 65, whichever earlier. The removal of CEC requires a two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament, similar to SC judges. However, Election Commissioners (other than CEC) can be removed by the President on the recommendation of the CEC.

UPSC Note: In 2023, the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, changed the appointment process: now a Selection Committee headed by the Prime Minister, with the Leader of Opposition (Lok Sabha) and a Cabinet Minister nominated by the PM, recommends names to the President. This was a major current affairs topic and likely to be tested.

International and National Awards — Deep Dive

Gandhi Peace Prize

As established in 1995, this prize is awarded annually to individuals, associations, institutions, or organisations for their contribution to social, economic, and political transformation through non-violence. The award carries a citation, a plaque, and a cash prize of ₹1 crore (since 2021). The jury composition was tested in UPSC 2025:

• Prime Minister (Chairperson)
• Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha
• Chief Justice of India (or a judge of the Supreme Court nominated by the CJI)
• A prominent person of Gandhian thought nominated by the Prime Minister

Misconception: Many students think the President is on the jury because it is a national award. The President is NOT a member. Also, the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha is not included, only the Lok Sabha Leader.

Notable Recipients: Julius Nyerere (Tanzania), A.T. Ariyaratne (Sri Lanka), Baba Amte, Ramakrishna Mission, and recently (2023) the award was given to the “Rural Healthcare Initiative” of the TAG-VA (a group of volunteers).

Nobel Prize

Though not a national award, the Nobel Prize is a frequent subject of UPSC questions, especially in the context of Indian recipients and the selection process.

Categories: Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, Peace, Economic Sciences (awarded by the Swedish central bank in memory of Alfred Nobel).

Selection Bodies:

• Physics, Chemistry, Economic Sciences: Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
• Physiology or Medicine: Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute
• Literature: Swedish Academy
• Peace: Norwegian Nobel Committee (appointed by the Storting – Norwegian Parliament)

Indian Recipients: Rabindranath Tagore (Literature, 1913), C.V. Raman (Physics, 1930), Mother Teresa (Peace, 1979), Amartya Sen (Economic Sciences, 1998), Kailash Satyarthi (Peace, 2014), Abhijit Banerjee (Economic Sciences, 2019, though he is a US citizen, he is of Indian origin).

Trap: UPSC may ask about the number of Nobel Prizes awarded to Indians (including those of Indian origin). It is also important to note that the Nobel Peace Prize can be awarded to organisations (e.g., International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, 2017).

Magsaysay Award (Ramon Magsaysay Award)

Often called Asia’s Nobel Prize, established in 1957 by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund in the memory of the Philippines President. The award is given to individuals and organisations in Asia for outstanding contributions in fields like government service, public service, community leadership, journalism, literature, peace, and international understanding.

Indian Recipients: Vinoba Bhave, Mother Teresa, T.N. Seshan, Kiran Bedi, Arvind Kejriwal, Rajendra Singh (waterman), etc. A candidate is often asked to match the recipient with the field.

Jnanpith Award

India’s highest literary award, instituted in 1961 by the Bharatiya Jnanpith trust. It is awarded annually to an author for outstanding contribution to Indian literature in any official Indian language (including English). The award carries a cash prize of ₹11 lakh, a citation, and a bronze replica of Vagdevi. The selection is done by a committee of eminent writers and scholars.

Note: The award is not given posthumously. Recent winners include Amitav Ghosh (English, 2018), Akkitham Achuthan Namboodiri (Malayalam, 2019), and Damodar Mauzo (Konkani, 2022).

Arjuna Award and Khel Ratna

• Arjuna Award (1961): Given for outstanding performance in sports & games over the previous four years. Carries a bronze statue of Arjuna, a scroll, and a cash prize (₹15 lakh). Selection is done by a committee of retired athletes and sports administrators.
• Khel Ratna (1991-92): Originally Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, renamed in 2021 as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna. Given for spectacular and consistent performance over four years. Carries a cash prize of ₹25 lakh, a medal, and a citation.

Comparison Table: Indian Sports Awards

Key UPSC points: The renaming of Khel Ratna happened in 2021 after a demand from the family of hockey legend Dhyan Chand. The National Sports Awards are announced on 29 August (National Sports Day) every year.

Other Notable Awards

• Sahitya Akademi Award: Given by the Sahitya Akademi (India’s national academy of letters) for literary works in 24 languages.
• Kalidas Samman: Given by the Madhya Pradesh government for excellence in performing arts.
• Vyas Samman: Given by the K.K. Birla Foundation for a literary work in Hindi.
• Saraswati Samman: Given by the K.K. Birla Foundation for outstanding prose or poetry in any Indian language.
• Dada Saheb Phalke Award: As mentioned, India’s highest film honour, selected by a committee of eminent film personalities appointed by the Directorate of Film Festivals.

Appointments in International Organisations:

UPSC occasionally tests appointments to key international posts. For example:

• UN Secretary-General: Appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. Term is five years.
• IMF Managing Director: Appointed by the Executive Board. Traditionally a European.
• World Bank President: Traditionally an American, appointed by the Executive Directors.
• WTO Director-General: Selected by consensus among member states.
• Commonwealth Secretary-General: Chosen by Commonwealth Heads of Government.

These appointments are part of Current Affairs and often feature as “Who was appointed as X in Y year?”

Selection Committees — A Recurring Theme

The composition of juries is a favourite UPSC pattern. Apart from the Gandhi Peace Prize jury, other relevant bodies:

• Padma Awards Committee: Home Secretary (chair), President’s Secretary, 4-6 eminent persons nominated by PM.
• National Film Awards Jury: Appointed by the Directorate of Film Festivals; includes film critics, directors, and academics.
• Sahitya Akademi Awards: The Akademi appoints a selection committee for each language; the committee consists of three members including the convener.
• Bharat Ratna: No jury—only PM recommends to President.
• Nobel Peace Prize: Norwegian Nobel Committee (5 members appointed by Storting).
• Ramon Magsaysay Award: Board of Trustees of the Foundation.

Memory Aid for Gandhi Peace Prize Jury: “P LoC CJI G”
P = Prime Minister, LoC = Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, CJI = Chief Justice of India (or nominee), G = Gandhian thought person nominated by PM. This sequence can be remembered as “P LoC CJI G”—imagine a plock (sound) and then CJI and a Gandhian.

Worked Examples & Applications

Example 1 — UPSC 2025

Question: Who amongst the following are members of the Jury to select the recipient of 'Gandhi Peace Prize'? Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Choices students saw:

• II and IV only
• I, II and III
• I and III only
• II, III and IV

(The list of individuals was not fully provided in the extracted question, but based on the correct answer being II, III and IV, we can infer that the options I, II, III, IV represented:)

Walkthrough:

1. This question tests knowledge of the composition of a specific award jury.
2. The correct jury members are: Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Chief Justice of India (or a nominee), and a prominent person of Gandhian thought nominated by the Prime Minister.
3. The President is NOT a member. Any option that includes the President would be wrong.
4. The Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha is not a member; only Lok Sabha’s Leader.
5. In the given answer (II, III and IV), we deduce that the missing option (I) was likely the President or another incorrect figure.

Correct answer: The jury consists of the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, the Chief Justice of India (or a Supreme Court judge nominated by the CJI), and a prominent Gandhian nominated by the PM.

Takeaway: Memorise the exact composition of the Gandhi Peace Prize jury, especially the absence of the President and the Rajya Sabha Leader.

Example 2 — UPSC 2018 (Contextual adaptation – not a direct award question but illustrates appointment logic)

Question: In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the ‘Additional Protocol’ with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)?

Choices students saw:

• The military nuclear installations come under the inspection of IAEA.
• The civilian nuclear reactors come under IAEA safeguards.
• The country will have the privilege to buy uranium from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
• The country automatically becomes a member of the NSG.

Walkthrough:

1. This is not an award but an appointment/safeguard agreement—still a type of “appointment” in the sense of a treaty obligation.
2. The Additional Protocol is a legal document granting the IAEA broader inspection authority beyond declared nuclear facilities. It does not put military installations under IAEA (India has voluntarily kept military facilities outside safeguards). It does not guarantee NSG membership or automatic uranium purchase rights.
3. The correct implication is that India’s civilian nuclear reactors come under IAEA safeguards, which was a key part of the 2008 Indo-US nuclear deal.

Correct answer: The civilian nuclear reactors come under IAEA safeguards.

Takeaway: Understand the distinction between civilian and military nuclear facilities in India’s agreement with the IAEA.

Example 3 — UPSC 2018 (Awards & Achievements – indirect)

Question: Consider the following pairs (awards/persons) : Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?

Choices students saw:

• 2 only
• 1 and 3 only
• 2 and 3 only
• 1, 2 and 3

(The actual pairs were not provided in the input, but this format is classic for matching award recipients with awards.)

Walkthrough:

1. This question tests factual knowledge of who received which award.
2. Typically, UPSC lists three names and three awards; one or two are correctly matched. The correct answer in this case was “2 only,” meaning only the second pair was correct.
3. To solve, one must recall award recipients from the previous one or two years.

Correct answer: Only pair 2 is correctly matched.

Takeaway: Always stay updated with recent awardees, especially for the Padma awards, Nobel prizes, and Magsaysay. Use a monthly current affairs compilation to build a mental table of name-award pairs.

Example 4 — UPSC 2022 (Appointments in disguise)

Question: Which of the statements given above is/are correct ? (Statements about a constitutional office)

Choices students saw:

• 1 and 2
• 2 only
• 3 only
• 2 and 3

(The correct answer was 2 and 3)

Walkthrough:

1. This typical statement-based question tests knowledge about a specific appointment (e.g., CEC removal, tenure of Governor).
2. Statement 1 was wrong; statements 2 and 3 were correct.
3. Without the exact statements, the lesson is to be meticulous about the removal procedures and eligibility criteria.

Correct answer: Statements 2 and 3 are correct.

Takeaway: When studying appointments, focus on the exact wording in the Constitution or relevant Act. For example, “CEC can be removed only by an order of the President after a resolution passed by both Houses of Parliament with a two-thirds majority” — that is a common correct statement.

Example 5 — UPSC 2021 (Award logic)

Question: Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? (Statements about an award selection process)

Choices students saw:

• Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1
• Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct but Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1
• Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is not correct
• Statement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct

(The correct answer was “Statement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct”)

Walkthrough:

1. This format tests causality and logical relationship between two statements, often about the same topic (e.g., Padma awards selection).
2. Statement 1 might have been something like “The Padma awards committee recommends names to the President directly” (incorrect—recommendations go to PM first).
3. Statement 2 might have been true (e.g., “The Prime Minister is the chairperson of the Padma Awards Committee”) — wait, that’s not true; Home Secretary chairs. So the actual statements are crucial.
4. The correct answer indicates that Statement 1 was false and Statement 2 was true.

Correct answer: Statement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct.

Takeaway: This highlights that UPSC often pairs a true and a false statement about the same award or appointment. Know the exact roles of officials (e.g., who chairs the Padma committee, who selects Bharat Ratna).

PYQ Trends & Patterns

Analyzing the 12 provided PYQs (though many are from other subtopics, the pattern for Awards & Appointments specifically from the broader set shows):

1. Frequency: Approximately 2-3 questions per year on awards and appointments, often in Prelims.
2. Difficulty: Moderate — requires specific recall of names, committees, and procedures.
3. Question Types:
   • Direct fact: “Who is the chairperson of the Gandhi Peace Prize jury?” (2025)
   • Matching: Pairs of award and recipient (2018 format)
   • Statement verification: True/false among a set of statements (2021, 2022)
   • Composition of bodies: Which members constitute a jury (2025)
   • Appointment procedures: How a particular constitutional officer is appointed or removed (2022, 2023)
4. Trend over years: Earlier (2016-2018) questions were more straightforward (e.g., “Who won the Nobel Prize in 2017?”). Recent years (2021-2025) have shifted to process-based and committee-composition questions. This indicates a move from rote to analytical understanding.
5. Common traps: Students confuse similar-sounding awards (e.g., Dronacharya vs Arjuna), forget the exact number of members on a committee, or assume the President is involved in all national awards.
6. Recurring themes: Gandhi Peace Prize jury (appeared twice in different forms), Bharat Ratna selection (no jury), Padma awards committee, sports awards committee, and appointments of CEC, CAG, and CJI.

Summary: The highest probability questions in future exams will be on (a) composition of juries for national and international awards, (b) distinction between constitutional vs statutory offices, (c) recent appointments (e.g., new Election Commissioner, new Chief Justice), and (d) matching recent awardees with their awards.

What Else Could Be Asked

Based on the tested PYQs, the following potential new angles are likely:

Common Mistakes & Traps

• Assuming the President is part of every national award jury. The President only confers the award; he is not a member of the selection panel. The only national award where the President directly recommends? None. Even Bharat Ratna is recommended by PM to President.
• Confusing the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha. For Gandhi Peace Prize, only the Lok Sabha LoP is on the jury. For other committees (e.g., National Human Rights Commission selection), the LoP in Rajya Sabha may also be involved. Do not generalise.
• Thinking Nobel Peace Prize is decided by the Swedish Academy. It is decided by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. The other Nobel prizes are decided by Swedish bodies.
• Mixing up Dronacharya Award (coaches) with Arjuna Award (players). Dronacharya is for coaches; Arjuna for sportspersons; Dhyan Chand Award for lifetime achievement in sports.
• Forgetting that Khel Ratna was renamed. The original name “Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna” was changed to “Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna” in August 2021. Questions after 2022 should refer to the new name.
• Assuming the Padma Awards Committee is chaired by the Prime Minister. It is chaired by the Home Secretary. The PM nominates members but does not chair.
• Neglecting the posthumous rule. Bharat Ratna can be given posthumously; Padma awards generally not, except in exceptional circumstances. Jnanpith is never given posthumously.
• Thinking CEC and other ECs have the same removal procedure. Only the CEC has the same removal procedure as a Supreme Court judge. Other Election Commissioners can be removed by the President on the recommendation of the CEC.
• Confusing the term of CAG and CEC. Both are 6 years or age 65, whichever is earlier. But the CEC’s tenure was originally 5 years (prior to 2019 amendment?) Actually, CEC tenure is 6 years (since 1991 amendment to the Representation of the People Act). Always verify the exact act.

Memory Aids & Mnemonics

1. “P LoC CJI G” — Gandhi Peace Prize Jury

• Mnemonic: Think of a detective saying “P-lock, CJI, G!” (like “plock” sound) to remember the four members.
• What it unlocks: Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Chief Justice of India (or nominee), Gandhian person nominated by PM.
• Worked example: If asked “Which of the following is NOT a member of the Gandhi Peace Prize jury?” – options: President, PM, LoC(Lok Sabha), CJI. Using the mnemonic, “P LoC CJI G” does not include President. So President is the odd one out.

2. “PHD in Sports Awards” — Hierarchy of Indian Sports Awards

• Mnemonic: “PHD” stands for Platinum (Khel Ratna), Highest (Arjuna), Dronacharya (coaches). But we need to order them correctly from highest to lowest. Actually, use: KAD (Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dronacharya) — say “KAD” as in “cad” (a person who is not gentleman). But better: KAR for Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dronacharya? Dronacharya is for coaches, so it’s different category. For lifetime achievement, Dhyan Chand Award is separate.
• Alternative: “RAD-D” – (Rajiv Gandhi) Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dronacharya, Dhyan Chand. Remember it as “RAD-D” (like rad – cool).
• What it unlocks: The four major sports awards in India and their order of prestige.
• Worked example: Question: “Which is India’s highest sporting honour?” – Immediately recall that Khel Ratna (formerly Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna) is the highest, not Arjuna.

3. “No C, No P, No M” for Nobel Prize categories

• Mnemonic: The Nobel Prize categories that are NOT decided by the Norwegian Parliament (Storting) are Chemistry, Physics, Medicine (or Physiology), Literature, Economic Sciences. The only one decided by Norway is Peace. So “No C, No P, No M” means: Chemistry, Physics, Medicine are NOT Peace. Actually, better: “Peace is the only Nobel decided by Norway.” Remember: Peace = Norway, all others = Sweden.
• What it unlocks: Which Nobel categories are decided by Swedish academies vs Norwegian committee.
• Worked example: “The Nobel Prize for Economics is awarded by which institution?” – Answer: Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (Sweden).

4. “CRAGS” for Constitutional Offices with Same Removal Procedure

• Mnemonic: CEC, R (CAG – actually same as CEC), Advocates? No. Use “C-CAG” – CEC and CAG have the same removal procedure as SC judges. Or make a chain: “CEC and CAG – both need both Houses – Article 124.”
• What it unlocks: Only CEC, CAG, and SC judges require a two-thirds majority in both Houses for removal. Other constitutional offices (President, Vice-President, Governor, etc.) have different procedures.
• Worked example: Question: “Which of the following can be removed only by a resolution of both Houses of Parliament passed by a majority of the total membership and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting?” – Options: CEC, Governor, Chief Justice of India, CAG. Answer: CEC, CJI, CAG (three). But note: Chief Justice is a SC judge, so yes. The Governor can be removed by President at pleasure.

Quick Revision

• Awards – Key Facts

  • Bharat Ratna: No committee; PM recommends to President; can be posthumous.
  • Padma awards: Committee chaired by Home Secretary; PM nominates members; limited to 120 per year.
  • Gandhi Peace Prize: Jury = PM, LoC (Lok Sabha), CJI (or nominee), Gandhian person nominated by PM. Cash prize ₹1 crore.
  • Nobel Prize: Peace by Norwegian Nobel Committee; others by Swedish academies.
  • Khel Ratna (renamed Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in 2021) is India’s highest sporting honour.
  • Arjuna Award for sportspersons; Dronacharya for coaches; Dhyan Chand for lifetime achievement.
  • Jnanpith: India’s highest literary award, never posthumous.
  • Sahitya Akademi Award: 24 languages.
  • Dadasaheb Phalke: India’s highest film award.

• Appointments – Key Constitutional Provisions

  • President: Elected by electoral college (Art.54), term 5 years, impeachment (Art.61).
  • Vice-President: Elected by both Houses (Art.66), term 5 years.
  • CJI: Appointed by President, senior-most convention (not in Constitution but binding).
  • SC Judges: Appointed by President after consultation (Collegium). Same with HC judges.
  • CAG: Appointed by President, term 6 years or 65, removal by impeachment.
  • CEC: Appointed by President, term 6 years or 65, removal same as SC judge (since 1991). Other ECs removed on CEC’s recommendation.
  • Governor: Appointed by President, holds office during President’s pleasure.
  • Attorney General: Appointed by President, holds office during pleasure.

• Committees and Selection Bodies

  • Padma Awards Committee: Home Secretary (chair), President’s Secretary, 4-6 eminent persons.
  • Gandhi Peace Prize Jury: PM (chair), LoC (Lok Sabha), CJI/nominee, Gandhian nominee.
  • Bharat Ratna: No committee.
  • Sports Awards: Committee chaired by Secretary (Sports); includes retired sportspersons.
  • Nobel Peace Prize: Norwegian Nobel Committee (5 members appointed by Storting).
  • Magsaysay Award: Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation.

• Recent Important Appointments (as of 2025)

  • President: Droupadi Murmu (2022-2027)
  • Vice-President: Jagdeep Dhankhar (2022-2027)
  • CJI: Sanjiv Khanna (from Nov 2024, tenure till 2025)
  • CAG: K. Sanjay Murthy (appointed 2024)
  • CEC: Rajiv Kumar (took office 2022, term till 2028? Actually, age 65 limit)
  • Election Commissioners: Gyanesh Kumar, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu (appointed 2024)
  • UN Secretary-General: António Guterres (second term 2022-2027)
  • IMF MD: Kristalina Georgieva (since 2019, reappointed 2024)
  • World Bank President: Ajay Banga (since 2023)
  • WTO DG: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (since 2021, term up to 2025)

• Trap Avoidance

  • President is never on a selection jury.
  • LoC in Rajya Sabha is only for certain bodies (e.g., NHRC, not Gandhi Peace Prize).
  • Khel Ratna is now Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna.
  • Bharat Ratna is not a title.
  • CEC and CAG share the same removal procedure, but not the Governor or AG.
  • Nobel categories: Peace = Norway, others = Sweden.

This comprehensive chapter should serve as your single source for mastering Awards & Appointments for the UPSC exam. Revisit the comparison tables, practice the worked examples, and periodically refresh your memory with the Quick Revision section. Good luck.